Sometimes a show is more than just good; it’s downright fun. Wasatch Theatre Company’s production of the classic treatise on botany, dentistry and the American Dream—Little Shop of Horrors—dares you not to leave humming and grinning.

It should be noted that this is a benefit production, with all proceeds going to the Salt Lake Education Foundation to help disadvantaged children receive dental care. The cast and crew have all donated their time.

The performance I attended was not promising at first. It was announced that Jim Martin, playing the lead role of Seymour, was having voice trouble and could not sing. The solution was for Martin to go on anyway, but with Kyle Olsen performing all of the songs offstage while Martin lip-synched. The prospect seemed to me like guaranteed disaster.

Wrong. As far as sheer talent goes, one couldn’t hope for a better last-minute “vocal instrument” than Olsen. He nailed the part like a pro. It is a credit to the cast and crew that this hare-brained scheme came off without a hitch. Olsen’s addition to the mix would not have been possible if elements of the show hadn’t already been rock-solid across the board.

You get to see an awesome giant plant puppet, indulge in some tongue-in-cheek retro kitsch and help out local kids. There’s really no reason not to see Little Shop of Horrors.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Wasatch Theatre Company
Rose Wagner Center Black Box Theatre
138 W. Broadway
801-355-2787
Through April 21
$20
WasatchTheatre.org